FCC plans to boost Wi-Fi spectrum by 35%
US regulator proposes biggest allocation of unlicensed frequencies since 2003, but they must be shared with government agencies
Published: 10 January, 2013
READ MORE: Spectrum | US | Regulator | Wi-Fi
US regulator the FCC continues on its quest for more mobile broadband spectrum, including for licence-exempt Wi-Fi services. The agency plans to allocate more unlicensed airwaves for Wi-Fi via its new favorite policy, spectrum sharing with federal groups, to improve performance in congested public places and indoors, it said.
Under its latest plan, Wi-Fi networks will share additional 5GHz spectrum with the Department of Defense and other government agencies, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski announced on Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show. The latest commercial Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ac, which tops gigabit speeds, runs in 5GHz but in the US, some of that band is occupied by federal users.
The Commission will initiate proceedings in this area at its public meeting next month, particularly studying potential interference issues as well as timing. "We're moving forward with it, and we're going to work out the problems as we go," Genachowski said, stressing that speed was vital. The FCC aims to add 195MHz of spectrum for Wi-Fi, increasing the available capacity by 35% - the largest new allocation for WLan since 2003 - though specific frequencies were not detailed.
Spectrum sharing has become a central theme of the FCC's spectrum plan recently, with proposals for mobile services to coexist with government users in 3.5GHz - a potential national band for small cells - and with broadcasters in the white spaces in TV spectrum.
"We'll keep nurturing today's Wi-Fi as we also develop a next generation of spectrum policies to drive our mobile future for our innovators and our economy," Genachowski said though he admitted it would take a lot of effort, and collaboration with other government agencies, to free up the airwaves. The proposals may meet opposition from the incumbent users, and from lawmakers and operators which want new spectrum to be auctioned, to raise public funds and prevent new competition to carriers which paid large sums for their own licences (though in the age when the big cellcos rely heavily on Wi-Fi offload, the latter argument is less often heard).
More SPECTRUM News
More US News
- Softbank lures Sprint investors with more cash - Jun 11
- T-Mobile could be Softbank's plan B - Jun 10
- Comcast to unveil 'homespot' scheme - Jun 10
More REGULATOR News
COMMENTS
BYOD: Market Analysis and Forecasts
An in-depth insight into the rise of BYOD policies within the enterprise and analysis of the impact the trend will have on IT departments,...
Voice Command, Control and Search on Mobile Phones: Market Analysis & Forecasts
This report provides a comprehensive insight into the growing importance of voice command, control and search on handsets, analysing...
Data Centre Network Equipment: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report provides a global assessment of the data centre network equipment market. Besides assessing the key market trends, sub-markets...
HetNet Market Summary & Forecasts: Macro Cells, Small Cells & Wi-Fi Offload
Carriers are struggling to cope with the explosion of data traffic on their networks, and the additional deployment of LTE and legacy...
Over-the-Top Communications: Threats & Opportunities for Mobile Operators
This report examines the implications of widespread adoption of mobile over-the-top IP communications for mobile operators, handset...
Portable Gaming Consoles: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report provides a global assessment of the PGC market. In addition to assessing the key market drivers, market barriers, vendor...
Satellite Phones: Will Dual Mode Help the Phoenix Rise from the Ashes?
Satellite phones have followed an arduous path since their much-hyped launch more than a decade ago. The hype was followed by an e...
